Our 5th Annual NwGAFootball Player of The Year award ,given to the best Senior player, will be voted on by the fans and staff in mid December. Last year we received over 6000 votes and expect this year to be just as bigger with the addition of the Paulding Co schools to the coverage area.
The following is a list of our PreSeason favorites. I like being wrong so I would love to see someone not mentioned here step up this Fall and win this thing.
Running Backs
Jamarion Wilcox (South Paulding): The odds on favorite entering 2022. Accounted for 1769 yards and 25 TDs last season for the Spartans.
Harlem Diamond (Cedartown): On a team full of athletes you don’t get as many carries as some of these guys but Diamond makes the best of his. He scored 21 TDs last season on just 97 touches and rushed for 1075 yds. The Bulldogs are expected to make a deep run once again in the postseason.
DJ Rogers (Pepperell): This kid quietly goes about being one of the top rushers in the Area every year. Had his 2nd consecutive 1000 yd season in ’21 rushing for over 1400 yards and 21 TDs.
Darkhorse RB
Jaylen Poe (North Paulding): Poe ran for 972 yards with 18 TDs last season in the State of Georgia’s highest class. I like this guy’ss film and with a solid core of Seniors at North Paulding this season Poe could be in store for a breakout ’22.
Quarterbacks
Owen Brooker (Northwest Whitfield): This guy quietly goes about putting up the numbers. Had 2900 yards passing and 600+ yards rushing last season while scoring 36 TDs. Lead the Bruins to back to back playoff appearances and no reason why this will not be #3.
Seth Griffin (North Murray): He has the size for a next level QB at 6’3 195. Totaled 3300 yards last season for North Murray with 32 TDs. His leading target is back this season so look for Griffin to put up some more big numbers in ’22.
Robert McNeal (Bowdon): 2x 6A POY is back for the Red Devils. McNeal doesn’t get near the number of attempts or carries some of the other guys get since the Devils put up some big scores early. Highest QB rating among the 3 at 137.0. Accounted for over 2700 yards and 31 TDs while leading Bowdon to the Region 6A Title in ’21.
2 Way Guys
Vicari Swain (Central): This guy has caught the attention of all the college scouts over the last year. The speedster finished ’21 with 855 yards rec. with 8 Tds. Had 6 ints with 3 returned for TDs, a fumble recovery and a blocked FG on defense for the Lions.
Martel Hight (Rome): Hight led the Area with 1069 yards rec in ’21 with 9 Tds. Teams shy away from throwing in his direction but he did have 5 ints his Sophomore year.
Chris Roper (Adairsville): 2 way All Region for the Tigers in ’21. Had over 1300 all purpose yards that includes rushing, receiving and kick returns with 10 Tds. On defense he had 9 TFL including 5 sacks and 2 interceptions, one he returned for a TD.
The POY award has been won by 2 QBs and 2 RBS. We would love to see a OL or a defensive guy step up this year and take the award.